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Questions

First of all what is it that makes my beehives smell like a fresh baked cake all over the back yard? I love it, I am located In kentucky and figure it is something they are processing. Next does anyone use powdered sugar as mite control treatments. Third, i have my entrance reducers on again and tonight noticed some black hornets outside crawling around. I am sure the hives can defend themselves but I was just wondering if it is normal for hornets to do this and if there is anything I should do about it. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

Re: Questions

I'm not sure what your smell is. I would guess goldenrod, although I have never heard it described as fresh baked cake before. I think some beeks around here use powdered sugar. I don't use anything. I'm trying to go treatment free. And last, I haven't had much trouble from hornets, but yellow jackets are driving me crazy.

Re: Questions

Next does anyone use powdered sugar as mite control treatments.

I do. I use both sugar shake to get a mite count and sugar dusting to keep the numbers down. So far so good--but this is the first year I've had VSH genetics in my hives. It's made quite a difference. I still dust if I get any mites in my sugar shake, tho. I do the 3 x a week for 2 weeks and have had really good numbers all spring and summer. In years past, I also did an OA dribble late in the year, although I may not need it this year. It's more work than some methods out there but I never keep very many hives, so that's never been a problem to me.

Re: Questions

Originally Posted by Rusty Hills Farm

I do. I use both sugar shake to get a mite count and sugar dusting to keep the numbers down. So far so good--but this is the first year I've had VSH genetics in my hives. It's made quite a difference. I still dust if I get any mites in my sugar shake, tho. I do the 3 x a week for 2 weeks and have had really good numbers all spring and summer. In years past, I also did an OA dribble late in the year, although I may not need it this year. It's more work than some methods out there but I never keep very many hives, so that's never been a problem to me.

As to the hornets, have you tried robber screens?

HTH

Rusty

do you think I need robber screens? this was the first time i have noticed them. like i said the entrances are small now im sure the bees can defend it, i hope ! and as for the smell and describing it like cake, im serious it smells awesome haha.